The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

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Media release

Title

ATSB Level Crossing Fatality Findings

Date: 24 October 2007

The ATSB has found that a fatal collision between The
Overland passenger train and tip truck towing a tri-axle
trailer occurred because the truck driver probably did not see the
train and entered the level crossing after braking too late to stop
at the 'Stop' sign.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its
final report on the investigation of the collision which occurred
at the Barpinba-Poorneet Road level crossing, near Wingeel in
southern Victoria, on 15 November 2006.

At the time of the accident the crossing was controlled by
passive 'Stop' signs and approach warning signs. The investigation
established that the truck did not come to a halt at the 'Stop'
sign controlling the crossing and concluded that the driver was
possibly distracted by the presence of the road-junction ahead. The
truck driver was probably unaware of the presence of the train
until just before the collision.

The investigation also found that the viewing angle in the
direction from which the train approached the crossing was poor.
When coupled with the restricted visibility from the truck's cab,
it would have been difficult for the truck driver to see the train
without coming to a complete stop at the crossing. The
investigation also found that when approaching the crossing from
the south-west the advance warning signs did not comply with the
operative Australian Standard AS 1742.7: Manual of uniform
traffic control devices - Railway crossings.

The investigation established that in the circumstances there
was nothing that the train crew could have done to prevent the
accident.

In the interest of enhancing future road/rail safety the ATSB
has made a series of recommendations to address safety issues
including the poor viewing angle at the crossing and the
non-compliance of the level crossing signage with the relevant
standard.

Copies of the report can be downloaded from the ATSB's internet
site at
www.atsb.gov.au.